Louisville Commercial-Scale Solar Hot Water Project Will Assist Senior Residents

LOUISVILLE, KY - SunWind Power Systems recently installed a solar hot water system in Louisville at St. Denis Senior Apartments, a renovation project headed by Housing Partnership Inc. (HPI) and Catholic Charities, which will provide affordable, energy-efficient housing for the elderly. This is one of the largest solar hot water systems installed in Louisville to date. Solar collectors mounted on the rooftop will heat water for the 34-unit apartment building and help reduce utility costs.

The addition of a solar hot water fits in with the both non-profit organizations’ goal to keep utility costs low in order to make it affordable for renters. The advantage of a renewable energy system is that the up-front investment in solar equipment will pay dividends for decades as residents receive a significant portion of their hot water through free, clean energy from the sun. The decision to invest in a renewable energy system will shield residents from an expected 4%-8% annual increase in purchased energy costs.

Depending on the actual increases, the annual gas savings provided by the solar hot water system could reach $4,300-$7,500 per year during the life of the system. This system will also have an environmental benefit by keeping more than 450,000 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere over the life of the system.

This is not the first project dedicated to helping low-income residents for SunWind Power. The company has also installed systems for low-income families in eastern Kentucky and has trained employees of Habitat for Humanity to install solar hot systems in Berea, Ky.

“This technology will help reduce energy costs for those who need it the most. We are proud to be a part of this project,” commented Patricia Coxon, president of SunWind Power.

Residents will be able to move in to St. Denis this spring.

SunWind Power Systems Inc., founded in 2005, provides professional consultation, design and installation as well as products for solar hot water, solar PV, wind and renewable technologies in Kentucky and Indiana.